Collagen is found in – our hair, skin, nails and joints.
A study in 2019, showed that in regards to improvements in skin elasticity and appearance, it took 90 days to see results. Results don’t occur overnight, but they should occur. Most studies look at the results at around 9 to 12 weeks. For example, this study found 2.5g of collagen per day, improved skin appearance and hydration after 12 weeks.
What is the Best Collagen Supplement Overall?
Based on reputation, strength of brand quality overall and ingredients, here are some of the better collagen supplements:
Vital Proteins Collagen – Type 1 and type 3 collagen
Ancient Nutrition Collagen Protein – Type 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
What is the Best Collagen Supplement for Skin?
Choose a collagen powder with type 1 and 3.
Vital Proteins Collagen
Further Food Collagen
What is the Best Collagen Supplement for Joints?
You want to take type 2 collagen for joints.
Ancient Nutrition Joint Support Collagen
1 study in 2017, found improvements in knee pain, by taking 5g of collagen per day.
What is the Best Collagen Supplement for Hair?
Type 1 collagen like:
Vital Proteins Collagen
What are the different types of collagen protein?
Types 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 are the ones found in supplements. There are 16 types, but the first 5 cover all the normal requirements and benefits.
Type 1 – Benefits skin the most
Type 2 – Benefits joints the most and is found in cartilage
Type 3 – Best for skin, blood vessel health and muscle
Type 4 – Best for eye health and hair
Type 5 – Also good for joint health
Collagen peptides – these are the same as hydrolysed collagen – it’s broken down/partially digested collagen, that’s easier to digest and can be more bioavailable.
Types 1, 2, 3 and 5, and to a certain extent 4 – can all be found in bovine collagen. However, you may want to use a collagen that is a mix of chicken, egg shell, marine and bovine – depending on your goals.
I’ve been unable to find any research that combines red light therapy with collagen supplements – but there are a few anecdotes that seem to suggest, they work well together to give even greater benefits.
If you have knee pain for example, try using a red light therapy device on your knee, and take 10g of collagen (type 2) – the combination should help significantly after a month or two.
One thing I would add in regards to knee pain – is make sure you are ‘walking properly’. My mom has a knee issue, and I believe it is because she has flat feet and her knees/upper legs ‘slant inwards’ as she walks. Treat the cause if you can, as well as the symptoms.
Oh – one more thing – try an anti-inflammatory diet too, for arthritis. It’s helped me a lot (I have PTSD and fibromylagia). Cutting out sugar, seed oils, and for me – dairy and wheat, has helped a lot. Hard to stick to but better than being in pain!